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[J.J.]

Not sure if you all have seen this or not.  This was in our local paper this weekend.

Denver says SHHHHHH
Bikers not happy about Mile High's new noise ordinance
By Bill Harlan, Journal staff
Political controversy is a staple of the Sturgis motorcycle rally -- whether it’s  alleged price gouging, unpopular parking restrictions, excessive noise near sacred Bear Butte or whatever.

Bikes and politics make a happy confluence for me, a political reporter who covers the rally, and this year, it took me less than two hours to find it.

I ran into Lori and Dan Delih of Oakdale, Calif., at the rest stop at Mule Creek Junction, just across the Wyoming line, at the junction of U.S. Highway 18 and U.S. Highway 85.

I buttonholed them because they were riding a pair of nifty looking Harley-Davidson Softails.

The Delihs had ridden all the way from Oakdale to stay with friends in Hot Springs.

Dan, a retired real-estate broker, had just heard a  radio-news story about Denver’s new motorcycle noise ordinance, which went into effect in July.

The ordinance requires bikes made after 1982 to have stock exhausts. The pipes can register no more than 80 decibels from 25 feet away.

Ticketed bikes must be fixed in two weeks, or it’s a $500 fine.

Ouch.

Can you imagine such an ordinance in Sturgis? The phrase “armed rebellion” comes to mind.

Needless to say, this new ordinance has resulted in a blogospherical flame-out.

Mike Werner of “Bikes in the Fast Lane” says the ordinance is unfair because even Denver police bikes don’t meet the standard, writes: “If you get caught, you get two weeks to fix the exhaust, or pay $500.

“If not, you go to jail, and if your name is not Paris Hilton ... well. ...” (Go to http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/lawyer-challenges-denver-motorcycle-noise-law.htm to see the rest.)

Warren Fuller, taking a tougher stance in “Scooter rants and raves” at http://www.choppersrule.com/dsez/edsez19.htm writes: “I’m not buying gas in Denver, I’m not buying food in Denver, I’m not going to plays or movies in Denver, I’m not staying at hotels in Denver, I’m not going to the People’s Fair, Taste of Denver or any of the other events in Denver.”

The Delihs weren’t planning to boycott Denver, or launch a legal challenge, but Dan did wonder whether they could make it through town without a noise ticket.

For now, they’ll enjoy Sturgis from their relatively quiet base of operations in Hot Springs. Dan even admitted they might not actually ride their motorcycles into downtown Sturgis. “Crowds,” he said.

[bobaroni]

Interesting reading, especially the replies to the article. I don't think people (riders) realize the contempt that many have for LOUD pipes. Even "Hog Tales" ran an article giving riders a "heads up" on future regulation of loud pipes.

[cuthbertss]

This is similar to the uproar in Co Springs a few years ago with a similar ordinance.  Very similar situation with the police bikes pipes ( and a few folks pointing out the exhaust in the motor officers personal bikes to the city council).

in C Springs they dont come after bikes or cars unless you deserve it.  Sitting downtown and romping on your exhaust  in a cage or on a bike you get what you deserve. 

at this point..  i wouldnt get too excited about it.

[nidan]

Even the stock HD slip-ons are over the sound limit if sampled up close.

Take it low and slow through the towns and normally the LEO's stay off your back.

[Talon]

Update from Denver, the first ticket issued for the new noise ordinance in Denver was thrown out in court yesterday. The officer that issued the ticket didn't have a device to measure the db of the exhaust, the $1,000 ticket was thrown out by the judge!!!